Third spacing of fluids
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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Overview
In human physiology, extracellular fluids are distributed between the interstitial compartment (i.e. tissue) and intravascular compartment (i.e. plasma) in an approximately 75%-25% ratio. Third spacing is the physiological concept that body fluids may collect in a "third" body compartment that isn't normally perfused with fluids.
Differential diagnosis of causes of thrid spacing
For example, with severe burns, fluids may pool in the burn site and cause depletion of the fluids in the first and second compartments. With pancreatitis, fluids may "leak out" into the peritoneal cavity, also causing depletion of the first and second compartments.
Treatment
Clinically, the extent of "third spacing" is usually unknown, and therefore it serves more as a theoretical concept for problem-solving rather than a concrete value that requires repletion.
References
Redden M, Wotton K (2002). "Third-space fluid shift in elderly patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery: Part 1: Pathophysiological mechanisms". Contemporary nurse : a journal for the Australian nursing profession. 12 (3): 275–83. PMID 12219956. |access-date= requires |url= (help)